"Lip Blushing" Is the Newest Technique for Full, Youthful Lips That Require No Maintenance

Gabrielle Rainbow garnered a ton of buzz earlier this year when
her “freckle tattoos” went viral. Now, the Atlanta cosmetic tattoo expert is
taking on a new permanent makeup arena, and she says her clients are completely
“obsessed” with the results.

Coined the “Lip Blush” technique, Rainbow and her partner, Erick Holguin, designed the procedure to offer a
nontraditional take on lip tattooing, with an end result that the duo describes
as more of a “full-lip enhancement, rather then a lip liner or full-lipstick
look that brings color and youth to the lips.”

“We wanted to create
something new that would replace the traditional lip tattoos we are used to
seeing. The process depends on a couple of factors, but we essentially use a pigment
and tattoo the full lip,” she says. “We can define the lips a lot more and give
them overall a prettier tone, which gives them a more plump and fuller look. We
were aiming for more of a lip-tint look, something more natural that emphasizes without being overdone.”

Rainbow says the best part
about the procedure is that she can guarantee you’ll have to wear less makeup—a
major reason why most clients choose to do it. “All you need to do is apply a
little bit of gloss and you are set! We have a range of colors to choose from [she has 30 different colors, they can be mixed and most clients bring photos or a lipstick that they want the shade
to mimic], so we can go with
something more natural or subtle, or have something brighter, more like lipstick.”

“I use two anesthetics. We numb you initially
and then continue throughout the procedure. Most of my clients have agreed that
it is less painful then microblading their eyebrows. Of course, there will be
some swelling, which typically lasts between 24 to 48 hours. There could also
be minimal bruising.”

The service isn’t cheap and it's not super fast;
Rainbow typically charges between $500 and $650 and it takes about two hours to
complete. In most cases, a
follow-up appointment isn't necessary, but minor touchups may be needed.

The final product is also
not fleeting, and lasts between three to five years, depending on the
person.